Pitfalls and Drawbacks of Authentic Leadership

Pitfalls and Drawbacks of Authentic Leadership

Although authenticity has become a popular and according to some people critical feature for efficient leadership, Ibarra (2015) argues that the success of the authentic leadership approach depends on the way it is perceived/defined. A too static definition of authenticity, thereby seeing it as a static unwavering identity, may actually hamper effective leadership and growth.

Leaders indeed struggle with this type of leadership today, especially because of current dynamic environments. These require more frequent and more radical changes in what we do, rather than sticking too much to authentic leadership principles.
In other words: leaders should balance authenticity and adaptability. If one of those exceeds the other, the probability of being ineffective is high. For example, if authenticity overrides adaptability, learning and growth are inhibited.

In conclusion, authenticity can be interpreted in various ways. Seeing it as 'being the way we have always been’ will hamper business growth and efficient leadership rather than supporting it.

⇒Are there any other disadvantages or pitfalls of authentic leadership?

Source: Ibarra, H. (2015) “Don’t let Authenticity Hold you Back” Harvard Business Review.

		Comments Sort by date Sort by rating Rating
		3 Olga Aros Consultant, United States
	Another Pitfall Related to Authentic Leadership First, self knowledge and exploring your foundation of beliefs and values is critical to any leaders... Sign up

		2 jorge anibal hoyos hoyos Manager, Colombia
	Not Only for the Leaders I think the major thing is "adaptability with authenticity", I think this holds true not only at all... Sign up

		1 ZB Gurmessa Student (University), South Africa
	Adaptablity overides in the private sector than the public sector The issue of authenticity versus adaptability is a major leadership paradigm today. The application ... Sign up

		1 Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
	Authenticity May Sometimes Support Adaptability Rules, procedures, policies take time to change. In order to initiate change, a little bit of compro... Sign up

		4 Victor Manuel Monteiro Seco Entrepreneur, Portugal
	Authenticity is no Longer a Pill Authenticity must be recognized and accepted by all stakeholders. There is no recipe. Secondly, bei... Sign up

		0 c r ghosh India
	No Authentic Leadership I do not think that there is anything called "Authentic Leadership". A leader has to have some quali... Sign up

		1 Andrew Blaine Business Consultant, South Africa
	Authentic versus Traditional Leadership It is indeed dangerous to mix Authentic (the real deal) with Traditional (Historical in both nature ... Sign up

		2 Olga Aros Consultant, United States
	The Diversity of Leadership Skills Today is a Requirement Worked in Fortune 500 cultures, public sector and community development. Each culture had different ... Sign up

		1 Isaias Joao Director, Angola
	Authenticity is no Longer a Pill @Victor Manuel Monteiro Seco: I fully agree with you, Victor Seco. Authenticity is not a choice, bu... Sign up

		2 Gandhi Heryanto Management Consultant, Indonesia
	Meanings and Problems of Authentic Leadership There are 2 different meanings of authentic leadership: - Firstly it is a term used by Bill George.... Sign up

		1 Supriyono Lecturer, Indonesia
	Authenticity Will Always Synergize with Adaptibility My experience in working in corporate multinational mining company, private primary and middle schoo... Sign up

		1 Victor Manuel Monteiro Seco Entrepreneur, Portugal
	Leadership is not Only Acting Some participants of this forum suggest that leadership is a question of adaptability and, obviously... Sign up

		3 Briolett, Canada
	Authenticity versus Adaptability Authenticity is more a way of being not necessarily an idea of 'being the way we have always been'. ... Sign up